Norma E. Gowan

December 20, 2013

Norma E. Gowan, 84, of 185 Old Military Road, Lake Placid, died Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013 at Uihlein Living Center.

Born in Saranac Lake on Oct. 19, 1929, she was the daughter of Austin and Betty (Pelkey) Gowan.

Norma was a life-long resident of Saranac Lake and worked for 30 years as the buyer for Newberry's Department Store. She travelled to many different cities opening stores for the company. She also operated a foster home for Sunmount for 30 years until her retirement in 2003.

Article Photos

Norma had been a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Court St. Bernard and enjoyed bowling, garage sales and was an avid reader.

She is survived by three sisters: Joyce Lawson and her husband Cliff of Fairview, Wis., Joan Ryan of Saranac Lake and Ginger Lawless-Hughes of Lake Placid and many beloved nieces and nephews, including Robert Shaw, Teresa Gowan and Colleen Gowan, whom she considered the children she never had.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brother Austin Gowan, her brother Richard Gowan, her sister Nathalie Eler, two loved sisters-in-laws Jane Gowan-Miller, Myrtle Haseltine-Gowan and her beloved nephews Kevin Eler, Walter Gowan and Scott Gowan.

Calling hours will take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22 at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home A memorial service will immediately follow at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Brookside Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to remember Norma may make a memorial contribution to the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad care of the funeral home. Family and friends may also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.